Instructions for Downloading and Installing Version 2.1 Software

A software bug in the original 2.0 software exists that can result in an update-over-MIDI DISABLING your AdrenaLinn II in about 5% to 10% of cases. If this happens, your only option is to get the update on 2 user-installable chips. So the best way to get the update from us on 2 chips. (Email us for details.) However, if you want to take a chance and try the free download, then follow the instructions below for downloading the update and installing it over MIDI.

How to install version 2.1

1. Check your version number

While holding down the UP ARROW key, connect power. The display should show "P20" or "2-0", indicating your AdrenaLinn is running the original shipping software version 2.0.

2. (Optional) Back up your user presets and drumbeats

Installing the software update won't affect your user presets & drumbeats, but installing the improved presets and drumbeats will overwrite them, so if you want to keep them please back them up over MIDI to your favorite editor/librarian. (If you don't have such a program, see below for a couple of free programs.)

3. Download the software update to your computer and transfer it to the AdrenaLinn II

The update is a MIDI System Exclusive file, compressed into a "zip" file. Click here to download the file to your computer. Uncompress it using WinZip (Windows) or Stuffit (Mac), both free downloads.

Using any program that can transfer a System Exclusive file out over MIDI, transfer the downloaded file to your AdrenaLinn II. (If you don't have such a program, see below for a couple of free programs.) To prevent MIDI feedback loops, don't connect anything to the AdrenaLinn II's MIDI OUT jack. (The update only needs to be sent TO the AdrenaLinn II.) You don't need to set the AdrenaLinn II to receive MIDI; it always stands ready to receive MIDI system exclusive data.

Immediately after it starts to receive the upgrade over MIDI, the display will flash "t16", then "t15", then "t14", etc., until it counts down to "t0", at which point it will flash 't0' for a full 10 seconds. Then the screen will go blank for a second while it restarts itself and returns to normal operation. IMPORTANT: DO NOT DISCONNECT POWER WHILE THE DISPLAY FLASHES "t1" OR "t0"! IF SO, YOUR ADRENALINN II WILL STOP FUNCTIONING AND WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED!

After the unit restarts itself, verify that the version number is changed: Disconnect power then while holding the UP ARROW button, connect power. The display should briefly show "212".

It is important to also update to the new factory presets because they are tuned to the new amp models. If you only update the operating software but not the presets, you'll probably notice that the old presets sound brighter than before. So please proceed with updating to the new presets and drumbeats.

The new presets and drumbeats are contained in a MIDI System Exclusive file. Click here to download the file to your computer. The file is a compressed 'zip' file. Uncompress it using WinZip (Windows) or Stuffit (Mac), both free downloads.

Using the same MIDI communications program you used to download the system update, transfer the newly downloaded "presets and drumbeats" file from your computer to your AdrenaLinn II. (NOTE: THIS WILL OVERWRITE YOUR USER PRESETS AND DRUMBEATS, so back them up first unless you don't care.) The MIDI transfer takes about 5 seconds, during which time your AdrenaLinn II will show "MID".

Next, use the following undocumented feature to copy your user presets and drumbeats over your factory presets and drumbeats: Disconnect power, then while holding both the MAIN and SEQUENCER buttons, connect power and continue to hold the buttons until normal operation resumes (about 3 seconds). It is important to do this so the new presets will play the correct drumbeats.

5. (Optional) If you backed up your user presets and drumbeats, reload them to your AdrenaLinn II over MIDI.

Please note that your user presets will sound different because they are using the new amp models, and may require a little tweaking.

6. (Optional) Give us your feedback

Try out the new amp models, presets and drumbeats for a while. You'll notice that many of them are brighter than the former models, but so are the original amps! Take your time to give them a test drive, then please send any comments to us at support@rogerlinndesign.com.

Troubleshooting

Problem: The AdrenaLinn doesn't respond when I send it the update file.
If, while sending the update file to the AdrenaLinn II over MIDI, the AdrenaLinn II doesn't display any response (the display doesn't change to 't16', 't15', etc.), then the MIDI information is probably not getting to the AdrenaLinn II.

Solution: Try testing your MIDI interface with another program and MIDI device to verify that the interface is working correctly. Or try using a different MIDI interface or different computer.

Problem: When sending the update file, the AdrenaLinn shows 'Err', "UE1" or "UE2".

If, while sending the update file to the AdrenaLinn over MIDI, the AdrenaLinn II begins counting down (t16, t15, t14, etc.) then at some point displays either "Err", "UE1" or "UE2", this means that the MIDI transmission was interrupted for some reason, perhaps because your MIDI interface is having trouble transferring the large 23k byte system exclusive file. To cancel the error message and return to the previous status, press any key.

Solution:
1) Make sure the AdrenaLinn II "MIDI OUT" jack is disconnected; you may have a MIDI feedback loop.
2) If your MIDI interface has settings, try to increase the transmit buffer to above 23k bytes. Orr call the interface manufacturer and ask them how to make their interface transfer a 23k byte file. Or try a different system exclusive transfer program like one of those listed below, which can handle large files better. Or try using a different MIDI interface or different computer.

Problem: When sending the update file, the AdrenaLinn counts down to "t0" then the LED under the PRESET knob blinks fast forever

We're very sorry, but this means that your unit was one of the 5% of units described at the top of this page that fail the MIDI update and your unit is disabled. As you performed the free download at your own risk, your only option is to purchase the upgrade from our online store.

If you don't have a MIDI System Exclusive transfer program, here are a couple of free ones:

Windows: If you don't have a Windows software program to transfer the downloaded files to your AdrenaLinn II over MIDI, you can use the utility MIDI OX, a free download from www.midiox.com. After downloading and installing it on your computer, here's how to use it to transfer a file from your computer to the AdrenaLinn II:

1. From the View menu, select Sysex. This will open the "SysEx View and Scratchpad" subwindow.

2. Within the "Sysex View and Scratchpad" subwindow, click on the File menu and select "Send Sysex File". Browse to the file you wish to transfer out over MIDI, select the file and click Open. This will send the file out over MIDI.

Troubleshooting: If it didn't work, check that MIDI OX is assigned correctly to your MIDI interface: Click on the Options menu and select MIDI Devices to open the MIDI Devices window. In the MIDI Inputs section of the window (upper left corner) verify that your MIDI interface's MIDI input is the only device seleted. In the MIDI Outputs section of the window (lower left corner) verify that your MIDI interface's MIDI output is the only device seleted.

Macintosh: Try the free System Librarian utility SNOIZE, downloadable from www.snoize.com.

If you don't like the new changes, how to return your unit to original software, presets and drumbeats

We hope you'll like the new amp models, presets and drumbeats. If you don't, here's how to return your unit to original version 2.0 factory software, presets and drumbeats:

Click here to download the original AdrenaLinn II version 2.0 software to your computer. Click here to download the original AdrenaLinn II presets and drumbeats to your computer. (As above, these are both compressed 'zip' files.) To install them to your AdrenaLinn II, follow the same instructions as you did to update your unit to the new software and new presets and drumbeats, but instead transfer the two files you just downloaded.